Label applying machine



Nov. 25, 1952 R, GAUBERT 2,619,247

LABEL APPLYING MACHINE Filed March 10, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS R. J. GAUBERT LABEL APPLYING MACHINE Nov. 25, 1952 Filed March 10, 1948 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ms E A in I A V iIlir R f, \m ww R mb $5 .%4 w J ATTORN YS R. J. GAUBERT LABEL APPLYING MACHINE Nov. 25, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Fild March 10, 1948 INVENTOP- V Rene J. Gav/barf BY 5% ATTORNEYS Nov. 25, 1952 R. J. GRUBERT LABEL APPLYING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 FiledvMarch 10, 1948 l N VENTO R. lee/7e J. Gauerf mm m on Patented Nov. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES FATENT OFFICE LABEL APPLYING MACHINE tion of California Application March 10, 1948, Serial No. 14,131

2 Claims.

This invention relates generally to a machine and method for applying labels to bags formed of Pliofilm or moisture-proof cellophane or other heat sealing materials.

In my Patent No. 2,347,902 dated May 2, 1944, entitled Bag Making Machine and Method, I have disclosed an automatic machine for manufacturing heat-sealed bags of material like Pliofilm or moisture-proof cellophane. Briefly the machine is fed with a continuous web of cellophane or Pliofilm which is folded over a mandrel, an end fold is made on a projecting end margin, and then both the bottom and longitudinal overlaps are heat sealed. After a bag is formed it is withdrawn a predetermined distance by a discharge mechanism and is then severed. The operation is repeated for successive bags. Such bags are used in the packaging and marketing of various products.

In my co-pending application, Serial No. 490,411, filed June 11, 1943, for a Label or Liner Applying Machine, now Patent 2,439,361, issued April 6, 1948, I have disclosed an automatic machine to be used in conjunction with a machine of the type disclosed in my Patent No. 2,347,902 which will serve to automatically apply labels as the web of material is supplied to the bag making machine.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a machine to be used in conjunction with a machine of the type disclosed in my Patent No. 2,347,902 which will serve to cut labels from a continuous roll of labels and to center and to seal the same to the web of material as the same is supplied to the bag making machine.

Further objects of the invention will appear from the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forth in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawing.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view, showing the machine of the present invention, and indicating the mounting of this machine upon the frame of the machine disclosed in my aforementioned Patent No. 2,347,902.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the machine shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the machine taken along the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevational view, showing the machine of the present invention from the other side as distinguished from Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 6-6 of Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 77 of Figure 1.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional detail taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 2.

Figure 9 is a plan view of a cellophane paper bag made upon the machine disclosed in my Patent No. 2,347,902 and provided with a label applied by the machine of my present invention.

Figure 10 is a top plan view of the cutting and sealing plate shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring to Figure 1, the light lines show a portion of the machine disclosed in my Patent No. 2,347,902 upon which the machine of the present invention is mounted, and consists generally of a work table I0, brackets I and a roller l2 over which a web of cellophane or Pliofilm is fed into the machine and formed into bags, all as is more particularly and fully described in said Patent No. 2,347,902. It will be appreciated that reference to cellophane or Pliofilm throughout this specification is intended to include all other heat sealing materials.

To the rear of the table H! and the brackets I attach rigidly rearwardly extending brackets M, which become in effect a mounting frame i5 for the working parts of the present machine. The two side brackets I4 provide a mounting for the rigid shafts l5, I7, |8, I9, 20 and 2|, which in turn serve as mountings for the roller members 23, 24, 25, 26, 21 and 28, respectively. A roll of cellophane or Pliofilm 3| is mounted as generally shown in my Patent No. 2,347,902 on suitable supporting brackets, not shown, which are mounted upon the frame of the main machine. A suitable spring-urged friction brake, not shown, is likewise operated and actuated by the arms 32 which are journaled to the machine at 33. Arms 32 are connected by a shaft 34 upon which is mounted a roller 35. The end of the arm 32 remote from the shaft 34 is secured to a lever 37 which operates the friction brake heretofore described in connection with the roll of cellophane 3|.

From the roll 3| the sheet of cellophane or Pliofilm extends upwardly over roller 23, downwardly over roller 35 which, it will be recalled, is mounted between the arms 32, upwardly over roller 2 and then over rollers 25, 2B, 21 and 28. From roller 28 the material extends over a roller 40 mounted upon adjustable arms 4| and then into the bag making machine as disclosed in my Patent No. 2,347,902. Arms 4| are mounted upon the ends of shaft 42 which is journaled in frame l5. Each arm 4| is also provided with arcuate slot 44 concentric with its pivot and adapted to receive a clamping bolt 45 threaded to the adja- 3 cent frame I5. The purpose of adjustable arm 4| and roller 48 will be more fully hereinafter described.

A roll of labels is suitably mounted upon a shaft 52 which is journaled in the frame I5 and freely rotatable with respect thereto. The labels 53 pass upwardly over a roller 54 which is suitably mounted upon a cross shaft 42, over a roller 56 which is suitably mounted upon a cross shaft 5! and over a feed roller 58 mounted upon a cross shaft 59 and adapted to be driven thereby. The feed roller 58 consists generally of drum 68 which is preferably provided with a surface adapted to frictionally engage the labels 53 and for this purpose I have found rubber to be satisfactory. The roller 58 is also provided with a plurality of peripherally extending pins 62, as shown, which are adapted to engage orifices 63 in the web of labels 53. The orifices 63 are, of course, spaced a predetermined distance apart and the pins 82 are adjustable to cooperate with said orifices. When the drum 68 is rotated in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 3 the labels are fed thereover as will be hereinafter explained. The drum 68 and drive shaft 59 are rotatably mounted in the frame I5 as by means of the bearings 65 as shown in Figure 5. The end of shaft 59 is threaded to receive a star wheel 6|. A sprocket 68 is rotatably mounted on shaft 59 and is adapted to frictionally engage or disengage a shoulder I8 on said shaft 59. Sprocket 68 consists of a circular plate 69 which is provided with a plurality of outwardly extending studs II which perform the function of ratchet teeth and, in effect, form a ratchet wheel. A bushing I2 is likewise rotatably mounted on the shaft 59 immediately adjacent the sprocket 68. I have provided a lever I3 which is rotatably mounted upon the bushing 12 in such a manner that it is always free to move with respect thereto. Lever 13 is provided with a pawl arm 14 upon which pawl I5 is mounted.

When the star wheel 6| is tightened it frictionally engages the bushing 12 which in turn frictionally engages the sprocket 68 and forces the same into engagement with the shoulder 18 whereby the entire assembly, star wheel 6|, bushing I2, sprocket 68, shaft 59 and drum 88, rotates as a unit.

The pawl I5 is adapted to engage the studs 1 I. Upon movement of the lever I3 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 1 the pawl engages one of the studs II and turns the entire assembly as previously pointed out. Upon rotation of the lever 13 in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Figure 1 the pawl rides over the studs II and imparts no motion to the assembly, including drum 68.

By varying the diameter of the drum 68 varying lengths of labels may be applied. As shown in Figure 3 drum 68 is provided with six studs 62 and therefore six labels will be advanced upon each complete rotation of drum 68. For this operation there are six studs II on the plate 69.

The lever I3 is actuated by the link 88 which is operatively secured thereto by means of a bolt 8|.

The link 88 is driven by an intermediate assembly which in turn is driven by the main driving mechanism of the machine I8 by means of a chain drive 82 illustrated in dotted lines in Figure 1. The intermediate drive mechanism consists of an idler sprocket 83 and a driven sprocket 84 both of which engage the chain 82 and both of which are mounted on the frame l5.

The driven sprocket 84 is mounted upon a stub shaft 86 by means of a set screw 81. Shaft 86 in turn is journaled in the frame I5 and is adapted for rotation with respect thereto in bushing 88. On that end of shaft 86 remote from the sprocket 84 there is a cam 89, which is adapted to operate the cutting and sealing mechanism hereinafter to be described. On the outside of the cam a pair of flanged rails 9| are secured thereto by means of screws 92. A bolt 93 extends from between the rails 9| and is adapted to be moved longitudinally therebetween. A bushing 94 is provided in which a winged nut 96 may be urged. When the nut 96 is tightened it abuts a bushing 94 and secures the bolt 93 against movement with respect to the rails 9|. The link 88 is rotatably mounted upon the bushing 94 so that upon rotation of the cam 89 the bolt 93 and bushing 94 rotate with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shaft 86 and reciprocating motion is imparted to the link 88. Reciprocating motion of link 88 imparts corresponding reciprocating motion to the pawl 15 on the arm 13 about the axis of the shaft 59. Pawl I5 engages one of the bolts II causing the rotation of sprocket 68 a predetermined degree of rotation, in this instance, of a turn or degrees; Further reciprocation of the link 88 causes the same to return to approximately theposition shown in Figure 1 whereupon the pawl I5 engages the next succeeding stud II and upon reciprocation of the link 88 in the opposite direction the sprocket is caused to rotate a further predetermined extent. The use of the rails 9| provides means for adjusting the length of the stroke of the link 88 since by loosening the nut 96, the bolt 93 may be moved longitudinally along the rails to increase the throw of this assembly which is, in effect, a crank shaft. It will be appreciated that all of the labels which may be fed by the drum 68 are not of the same length and it may be desirable to increase the degree of rotation of the drum 68. Suitable adjustment may be made to compensate for the varying sizes of labels by adjusting the throw of the link 88 as previously described and by adjusting or changing the distance between the studs II on the circular plate 69.

As has previously been pointed out, rotation ofthe cam 89 likewise operates the cutting and sealing mechanism. The cam 89 engages cam roller |8| on the lower end of arm I82. Arm I92 is secured to a cross shaft I83 which is rotatably mounted in the frame I5 for movement with respect thereto about its longitudinal axis. Likewise secured to the cross shaft I89 are a pair of arms I84 uponwhich is mounted a heater element I86. Heater I86 is shown in cross section in Figure 8 and is adapted to be electrically heated. On the upper surface thereof there is provided an auxiliary heater plate I81 of aproximately the same size asthe label to be applied to the strip of cellophane or Pliofllm II which passes thereover. The edge I88 of the auxiliary member I8! is beveled substantially as shown and is adapted to cooperate with a similar edge I89 on a. guide bar and cutting member III which is mounted on a pair of upstanding arms I|2 which are secured to cross shaft 51 which is rotatably mounted in the frame I5. Arms I|2 are of different lengths and in this manner one end of member I is lower than the other and is contacted first by cooperative edge I08 upon its upward movement. This, coupled with the fact that the blade I89 is not parallel with the cutting edge I08 whereby the lower end of blade I09 is first contacted by the cutting edge I00, assures a scissors effect and accurately and cleanly severs the label from the web. As shown in Figure 10, on that portion of auxiliary heater plate i? which first strikes the member Ill, I have provided a projection IIlIa which is sharply cut away as shown. This projection serves as a lead-in device to insure proper cooperation of the cutting edges I00 and I09. Also mounted upon the cross shaft are a pair of arms II i which engage a spring I I0, the other end of which is secured to the frame I5 and which tends to urge the cutting edge I00 in the direction of the heater I06 and the cooperating cutting edge I08. The arms II2 abut the forward ends of the arms I04 upon which is mounted the heating element I00 nd ride thereagainst, so that upon upward and downward movement of the arms I00, the heating element I00 and the cutting edge I08, the arms II2 and the cutting blade III will rock backward and forwardly against the pressure of spring IIB.

I also provide a pressure plate or platen I the lower surface of which is provided with a canvas cushion I2l. The pressure plate I20 is resiliently mounted for upward and downward movement by means of spring I22, shaft I23 and guide rod I20 upon a rigid cross member I25 which is suitably secured to the upper portion of the frame I5 by means of members I20 and bolts Operation of the machine may be briefly described as follows: The web of cellophane or Pliofilm material is drawn from the roll 3| and is threaded over the roller 23, downwardly over the roller 35, upwardly over the roller 20, downwardly over the roller 25 and upwardly over the rollers 25 and 21 and thence over the cutting blade III and under the platel20, thence under the roller 28, about the roller and over the roller I2 into the machine as is further described in my Patent No. 2,347,902.

The web or strip of labels is next fed from the roll 5I over the rollers 54 and 55 onto the driving roller 50. Care is taken that the orifices in the labels register with the pins 02 upon the drum 00. The labels are then fed under the cutting blade I II and over the cutting blade I08 and heating member I06.

The device is then timed to provide that a label is cut and sealed to the web of cellophane or Pliofilm at the proper place and at the proper spacing.

By releasing the star wheel 6|, bushing I2 and sprocket 08 are released from direct drive with the shaft 59. The drum may then be rotated in such a manner that the labels which are threaded thereover may be advanced by hand across the heating element I06 and the heating and cutting element I01. When the operator has determined the precise point upon the web of cellophane or Pliofilm at which he wishes a label to be sealed, as by means of rotation of the drum 60 and advancement or retraction of the labels, he may tighten the star wheel in such a manner that the star wheel 6|, bushing I2, sprocket 00 and shaft 59 engage and are adapted to be driven by the reciprocatory movement of the link 00, lever I3 and the pawl 75.

Should further adjustments of the web of cellophane and label be necessary with respect to the proper centering of the same for final operations on the bag making machine I0, roller 40 may be raised or lowered by loosening the bolts 45 and pivoting the arms 4| about the axis of the cross 6 shaft 42 to which they are secured. 'Upon tightening the bolts 45 the arms 4| are made rigid with respect to the frame I5 and the adjustment is completed.

I must be assumed that the web I3 of the cellophane or Pliofilm is suitably threaded through the remainder of the machine I0 ashas previously been described in my Patent No. 2,347,902 or, that is, over the mandrel and through the sealing and cutting mechanism therein.

When the machine is started and the web of cellophane I3 is drawn through the machine as is described in said patent, motion is also imparted to the intermediate drive mechanism by the chain 02 and the sprocket 0%. This causes rotation of the cam which imparts a reciprocatory movement to the link 00 which in turn, through the pawl I5 and the ratchet wheel 60, advances the drum 00 and the labels under the blade I I I and over the cutter and heater member 01. As has been previously pointed out the cam 30 engages the roller IOI of the arm I02 which ultimately causes the raising and lowering of the heating and cutting element I 07. When the label is being advanced over the cutting and heating surface I07, preparatory to being cut from the web of labels, the arm I02 does not reciprocate inasmuch as the roller ml is engaging the concentric portion of the cam. However when the irregular or raised portion of the cam engages the roller IOI it causes the arm I02 to swing about the axis of the cross shaft I03. This raises the heating and cutting element I0! and the cutting edge I00 and the outing edge I00 cooperate like a scissors as has previously been described and sever the label which is overlying the heating element I0! from the remainder of the web.

Further upward movement of the heating element I0! forces the previously cut label upwardly against the web of cellophane I3 at a point immediately underlying the pressure plate I20. It will be appreciated that while the heating element I0! and the cut label are in contact with the web of cellophane I3 and the pressure plate I20 that the=web of cellophane is stationary.

It must also be appreciated that at the time the irregular or raised portion of the cam 80 engages the roller IOI causing the arm I02 to swing outwardly, the drum 00 is stationary. At that time the link 80 is moving to the left as shown in Figure 1 and the arm I3 and pawl I5 are moving harmlessly over the sprocket 08 and the studs I I. Likewise when the link 00 is moving to the right as shown in Figure 1 and the pawl I5 is engaging on of the studs II thereby imparting rotation to the drum 60 and moving a label under the cutting edge I00 and over the heating element I07, the roller IOI engages the concentric portion of cam 89 and no swinging movement is imparted to either the shaft I02 or th heating and cutting element I07.

Briefly therefore it may be stated that while the cutting and sealing means I01 is being actuated, the web of labels 53 is stationary. Likewis when the web of labels is being advanced by the roller 50 under the cutting edge I09 and the element I01 preparatory to being severed, the cutting and heating member I0? is in retracted position. The advancement of the cellophane web I3 is intermittent as has previously been explained in detail in my Patent No. 2,347,902. The intermittent motion of the web I3 is so controlled that upon the upward movement of the cutting and sealing member I01 and the contact of the age-19,247

same with the pressure plate I20, the forward motion of the web I3is halted and is not resumed and the cutting and heating member I! is retracted.

when th labels have been severed and have been sealed to the web I3, the web advances through the remainder of the machine as has previously been pointed out in such a manner that the bag produced thereby corresponds to the bag shown in Figure 9 in which the moistureproof cellophaneor Pliofilm is heat sealed along the folded-over portions I30and I 3I. The label I32 may be placed at any point along the sideedged the bag by properly'adjusting the machine as has previously been described; As shown in Figure 9, however, the label is placed near; the top or unsealed endof the bag. After the bag has been filled a predetermined amount, the label may be folded generally along the dot dash line I33 in suchv a manner that the label is shown on both sides. The folded-over portion may be secured by any suitable means, as for example by a staple or heat seal.

The cutting and sealing member I01 may b of.

any size desired. Generally speaking its size is determined by the size of the label inasmuch as it is not desirable to have the sidesof the member I01 overlap the label. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that if the member I01 is of substantially greater area than the label,

that the heating element I01 will directly contact the web of cellophane I3 and will discolor the same. In the same manner the size of the pressure plate I20 may be altered.

I claim:

1. Mechanism for applying labels to spaced portions of a movable web of material, comprising a frame rotatably supporting, av roll of labels to be applied to said web, a substantiallyhorizontal guide bardisposed beneath said web and having a cutting'edge thereon, a horizontal platen mounted above said web invertically spaced rela- 8 tion to said guidebar and:having spring'means for yieldably urging the platen downwardly towards said web and guide bar, a heater plate pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis'beneath said guide bar for vertical swinging'movement toward and away from said platen and the interposed web of material, said heater plate having a cutting edge thereon for cooperation with the cutting edge of said guide bar, a rotatable drum for feeding a strip of labels from said roll to between said guide bar and said heater plate, a shaft journaled in said frame and'having means including a link connecting said shaft and drum for intermittently rotating the drum to feed said strip of labels in astep-by-step movement over said heater plate, a movable arm-secured to the pivotal axis of said heater plate, and cam means on said shaft engageable with the opposite" end of said arm for swinging the latter on said horizontal axis to elevate said heater plate against said strip of labels and said guide bar to successively sever labels from said strip and apply the same to the underside of said web' in synchronism with the intermittent advance of said label strip by said drum.

2. A mechanism as in claim 1 in which said guide bar is inclined slightly to the horizontal in the direction of its length.

RENE J. GAUBERT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,404,068 Swift Jan. 17, 1922 1,968,881 Edwards Aug. 7, 1934 2,220,071 Avery Nov. 5, 1940 2,326,436 Caldwell Aug. 10, 1943 2,351,093 Beckley June 13,1944 

